Armed lifeguards on patrol on Galveston Island

Armed lifeguards on patrol at Galveston

GALVESTON — Lifeguards who are armed after becoming certified police officers are patrolling Galveston Island’s seawall and beach this year.

The Galveston County Daily News reported though that the Galveston Island Beach Patrol lifeguard officers’ main concern remains lifeguard duty and enforcing beach ordinances like a prohibition of alcohol.

Galveston police and the Park Board of Trustees have been unable to provide security on the seawall beaches for several years, Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis said.

Davis said they want visitors to “have a safe and enjoyable experience.”

The first contact with ordinance violators is friendly and just a warning, Davis said.

Six officers were trained, but only two patrol at a time 10 months out of the year. Davis said December and January are reserved for training, maintenance and special projects.

This year’s program cost $154,000, but because the officers are now trained, that number would drop to $126,000 next year if approved again by the Galveston City Council.